We are poised at a unique moment in our national narrative.  The Occupy moment has swept the country pushing economic injustice to the forefront of our national dialogue, and the presidential election race has already been laced with accusations of bigotry. 

This week Standing on the Side of Love, the social justice and public advocacy campaign of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), launched Thirty Days of Love, a month celebrating love and focused on furthering the mission of Standing on the Side of Love “through listening, discovery, community engagement, education, inspiration, celebration, lifting up, and daily, direct actions of love.” Beginning on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and ending on Valentines Day, the event is an extension of the popular National Standing on the Side of Love Day that has taken place the last two years on Valentine’s Day.

Over the course of this month, Standing on the Side of Love will be working to deepen its connection with individuals and communities across the country by working to combine the stories of members of the campaign into a narrative of the present moment.  Drawing from the narrative tradition of Cesar Chavez, DREAMers, President Obama, and others, Standing on the Side of Love is embarking on a  ‘Story of Self, Story of Us, Story of Now,’ allowing participants to be better able to define their own leadership and inspire others to take action. With resources and tools provided by Standing on the Side of Love, local congregations can run their own listening campaigns, connect with their communities, engage in theological reflection, and take direct action. These resources include guides for running your own event, a worship packet with sample readings, Love Award certificates, guiding talking points and press releases, and an online space to share local congregations’ stories and photos.

Standing on the Side of Love focuses on overcoming identity-based discrimination, and in these difficult economic times believes it has become even more essential to consider those who are most marginalized. The primary intention of the Thirty Days of Love process is to bring these difficult conversations to the foreground, and determine how love, caring, and understanding will address them. Says Campaign Manager Dan Furmansky, “We don’t always know what the goals are, or where we will end up. But we know that at the heart of the process is love.”

For more information and find out how to get involved, check out Standing on the Side of Love’s Thirty Days of Love information page today!